How many air bibs?

[beartoothweb]

I'm planning my 40x30 shop, and will be hard plumbing some air lines (copper or iron).

It seems you could go a little overboard here with the piping and fittings. I'll be using air for general purposes as well as painting on occasion, air tools, etc.

I'm wondering if simply doing a mid-point overhead reel with 50' of hose, plus 2-3 other connections would be more than enough? I'd put one near the lift, which would also be the connection when painting, and probably one near the front of the shop by the garage door for going outside if needed, and one right next to the compressor. Or, can I just use the overhead for that too, since I'll have 25'+ of hose after I reach the door?

I'm all for overbuilding, but I hate to buy a bunch of copper and fittings for no reason. Just curious what you guys are doing.

 

[aerobb]

I've also got a 30x40 that I'll be plumbing this spring, mine is a barn and does have 2 columns running down the center, so i'll be able to center feed for both bays, and I was only going to have 3 drops, one along the back wall and 1ea. on each column.

 

[Matti]

I put 3 in my 26x24. I don't believe in arbitrarily spreading them out but rather placing them near your work areas. I out one near the workbench on the north side wall, one in the middle of the front wall and one near the large door on the south wall in case I needed air in the driveway. The reel is mounted on the front wall and lets me bring air to either car. I didn't put in air for a future lift but it wouldn't be hard to run a line to the ceiling because my compressor is up in a little loft.

 

[kool55]

I have a 42x60 shop that I am building an air compressor/parts room now. I plan on running Infinity aluminum 3/4 line around the top of the walls in a loop and having 3 drops to 50 ft. reels.One midway on each endwall and one centered on the back wall.I think this way is easier and better than having multiple drops. Plus I wrapped up air hoses at the end of the day for too many years.

 

[beartoothweb]

I like that idea. I'm thinking about just putting one reel in the dead center of the shop, and then another one next to my shop light reel, which will sit at the front edge of the lift (vehicle hood area.)

Seems the only disadvantage to this is having to drag the hose across the vehicle when airing up tires/using tools. I wonder if you could put "anchor" points along the wall so you could go down from the ceiling, into that point, and along the rig instead of on top of it?

 

[Piper]

my only thought on relying on a rubber hose, which is likely 3/8" over rigid line is cfm. If it were me I'd be putting a general loop around the area and then using the hose as needed but not letting the hose be main source of piping to the tool. I'd rather have a couple of 25 foot 3/8" hoses with fixed 3/4" (or at least 1/2") around the shop. I have 1/2" rubber hose and find it works great. I especially notice it on my DA sander, impact gun and sand blaster.

Piper

 

[MXtras]

I have air fittings and electrical outlets every 12' around the perimeter. This works well for me.

Scott

 

[larry4406]

I put in 3 over head drops. Along the work bench wall which is 50' (opposite the garage doors) I have them about every 6 feet in the wall, the side walls (28') have 2, and 1 outside.

 

[rsanter]

I would say 2 or 4 pull down hose reels.
2 near the work bench
and if you are going to have any stationary equipment like a mill or lathe then you will want one there too.
you should also have one near the garage door and one on the outside of the shop on the side where you would park something outside

bob

 

[79firebird]

When ever i put in air lines for friends and what not i like to put them every 10-15 feet. Think of it like power outlets you can never have to meany in a shop they allways seam to get used

 

[Crusty Nut]

I have one in the middle on an overhead reel and one by the door that get the most use. Just put them near your work areas.

 

[beartoothweb]

Thanks all. I think I'll start with one on each wall (2 on the workbench wall) and one overhead reel. I can't imagine needing more than that, a statement I'll probably regret. ;->